The fact that certain products "don't meet international standards" are "not approved"...does not negate their value, their contribution to safety nor their cost- effectiveness.
GA is a totally different kettle of fish to Commercial Aviation (UK, there is the odd light aircraft doing Aerial Survey/ Photography etc. and the odd John Travolta who flies an airliner in a private capacity....but let's not cloud the issue with pedantry.
It would appear that most MAC's occur, NOT when GA and "heavy" traffic mix, but when amateurs and trainees are out-and-about. Within that "light/ GA " group, there are Certified and Permit A/C (and a few SSDR's )
As is common, Aviation rules, regulation and law seem to be reactive, rather than pro-active.
Over a thousand UK pilots have decided that a £200 device is better than no device. It seems a very dog-in a-manger attitude to refuse to make any use of that information, just because it's not "approved."....Plenty of light aircraft flying safely for decades in Europe and USA, but not here, 'cos they're not "approved"
ISTR a thread stating there are better systems than ADSB /Mode S....but,of course, there has to be a 10-year hiatus while the powers that be, approve......meanwhile, somebody comes up with a totally affordable, useful, pragmatic solution for the lower-end of the market and a faction are intent on poo-pooing it., because it "isn't approved"
WELL START A BIT OF LATERAL THINKING , THEN, AND APPROVE THE BLOODY THING!....any safety- increment is better than none!...next, weather-radar will become compulsory!....well, it's a huge safety-aid to everybody who's got it, isn't it?- otherwise, why would they spend such vast sums on a seldom-used-in -anger bit of kit?
Gliders have their own specific needs. VFR GA , Ditto, IFR GA, ditto. Commercial heavy traffic, ditto. How about "horses for courses" Don't get me started on the stupidity of not allowing 2 bits of kit to be plugged together with out reams of paperwork....there are people dying out there because someone sits on their high horse demanding they have their input (and get their cut)
I always feel better after a good rant....even a mediocre one can be refreshing.